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"I love my family." Rosemary twisted the damp handkerchief in her fingers as she considered Merritt's proposal. "And I feel a duty to help them by the only means open to me."

That means could only be marriage to a rich man. Merritt took the blow, but refused to flinch. "I understand."

"No, you don't. Even for the sake of duty, I cannot stoop to dishonor."

He'd been an idiot even to entertain the notion.

"To wed a man I couldn't love would be dishonor," Rosemary continued, "and these seven years have taught me the futility of trying to love any man but you, Merritt Temple. If you'll have me, I will be the happiest woman in the world to marry you."

"If…?" He swept her into his arms and kissed her dizzy before she could recant. What fortune in the world could compare with the treasure of knowing Rosemary loved him for himself alone?

"I'll do everything in my power to make you a good, thrifty wife," she promised when they paused to catch their breath. "There's only one luxury I will ever ask of you."

"What might that be?" He'd fetch her the moon for a looking glass if she asked.

"Babies, of course." She gazed at him with a sweet brooding smile. "A houseful, so Harry will have a whole battalion of small brothers and sisters to command."

Recalling his own solitary childhood, Merritt could think of no better gift to give his son — a legacy infinitely more precious than all the gold in England.

"You may have all the babies your heart desires if you will indulge me in one thing."

"Yes?"

"That we may name our first son Hawthorn?"

From the doorway a deep cheery voice called, "An excellent idea! Hawthorn Temple, a most distinguished moniker."

Merritt and Rosemary looked up to see her brother and sister shamelessly eavesdropping.

"How long have you two been there?" Rosemary demanded.

Ivy bounded onto the bed with them. "Long enough to catch the drift of your answer. Congratulaions!" .

As she threw her arms around them both in a forceful embrace, Merritt held out his hand to Thorn and the two men exchanged a look that sealed them as brothers.

* * *

The wedding took place three weeks later, following the publications of banns. Rosemary refused to let Merritt spend his money on an expensive special license to speed up the proceedings. Nor would she part from Harry long enough for a quick dash to Gretna Green.

As she walked down the aisle toward him on her brother's arm, clutching a nosegay of fragrant blue rosemary flowers and white hawthorn blossoms, trailing green ivy, Merritt feared his heart would burst with happiness.

But when his thoughts turned to the wedding night ahead, his stomach dropped into the toes of his Hessians. His first wife had been revolted by the very idea of her marital obligations.

If he failed Rosemary tonight, Merritt wondered, how would he face himself in the morning?

To be continued...